Flashlight attachment for guns



May EH, 1952 D. G. CHANDLER ETAL 2,597,565

FLASHLIGHT ATTACHMENT FOR GUNS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Nov. 12, 1949 mHHH IN V EN TORS y y 1952 D. e. CHANDLER ET AL 2,597,565

FLASHLIGHT ATTACHMENT FOR GUNS 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INVENTORS QQQMZMV,

6 ATTO-R/VEY Filed Nov. 12, 1949 Patented May 26, 1952 UNHD STA '5 TOFFICE FLASHLIGHT ATTACHMENT FOR GUNS -Daniel Gordon Chandler andWilliam Wiley Bryson, Columbus, Miss. said Bryson assignor to saidChandler Application November 12,- 1949, Serial No. 126,722

2 Claims.

vide an attachment for guns which may be quick- 1y installed on the gunfor mounting a flashligh in position on the gun so that a light beamfrom the flashlight may be directed upon the target as. aguide for theaiming'and firing of the gun.

Still another object of our invention is to provide'aconstruction. ofsupport for a flashlight which may be rapidly attached to a conventionalgun for maintaining the flashlight in a position into which it may bereadily manipulated for flashing a beam of light toward the target forindicating the required aim of the gun with respect to the target.

Still another object of our invention is to pro vide a flash-sightconveniently installed on a gun in lieu of the conventional handgrip,and which includes an electrical circuit controller and mounting meansfor a flashlight which is supported with respect to the gun in suchposition that a light beam may be directed to -a target for facilitatingrapid'and accurate aiming. of the gun.

Still: another object of our invention is to provide a construction offlash-sight for Thompson submachine guns where thefiash-sight may bequickly installed in lieu of the conventional forearm grip of theThompson submachine gun, for converting the Thompson submachine gun to.a flash-sight as an aid to the rapid and accurate aiming of the gun.

Still another object of our invention is to provide an attachment forThompson submachine guns which may be readily moulded from lightweightplastic material for mounting both an on and off control switch and aflashlight in position on the gun for the rapid and accurate control ofa light beam which may be directed upon the target for indicating thecenter of the target.

Still another object of our invention is to provide an attachment for aThompson submachine hereinafter following by reference to theaccomppanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating-the flash-sight attachment ofour invention asapplied to a Thompson submachine gun, and trainedeupon atarget for indicating a bull'seye thereon; Fig. 2 is a side elevationalview- .ofthe Thompson submachine gun with the flash-sight attachment ofour invention in positionthereon; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of thecomponent parts of the flash-sightv attachment in -juxta-' posedpositions preparatorysior assembly; Fig. 4

is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the flash-sightattachment, with certain of the parts illustrated in elevation; Figs 5is a vertical sectional viewtaken substantially .sight attachment abouttobe secured in position on the Thompson submachine gun, with certain ofthe parts broken away and illustrated insection; Fig. 8 is a fragmentaryperspective view showing the relation of the linearlyextending bar withrespect to the gun barrel forsupporting the flash-sight'attachment; andFig-9 is a fragmentary-vertical sectional view-through amodified formoflinearly extending bar, atportion of the handle of the flash-sightattachment and the securing member, and-illustrating a modified methodof securing the flash-sight attachment to the linearly extendingbarbelow the -machine gun barrel.

Our invention is directed to an attachment for .guns which is extremelylight in weight, and which may be readily substituted for the originalforearm grip on a gun, andwhich serves as a support for afiashlight anda circuit controller for energizing theflashlight at required times asan aid in the aiming of the gun upon a bull seye or other target. Wehave successfully and effectively used the attachment-of our inventionon a Thompson submachine'gun, but werealize that the attachment isapplicable to other types of guns, rifles and revolvers generally,andwhilc we have described ourinvention as an attachment foraThompsonsubmachine gun, we desire that it be understood that norestrictions as to the types of gun to which ourattaohment. isapplicable are intended. The attachment may be moulded from plasticmaterial which is extremely light in weight and. does not addappreciably any weight which might tendto unbalancethe gun. Theattachment includes a handgrip, on andofi finger control switch,internal channels for electrical circuit conductors, and a cylindricalhousing for supporting a flashlight. Electrical conductors extend fromthe flashlight through the internal channels within the attachment, andelectrically connect with the on and off switch. A lens system isprovided on the flashlight for directing light rays from a batterypowered incandescent light mounted therein, upon the target or object towhich the gun must be aimed and fired. Provision is made for theretention of the flashlight within the attachment against dislodgmentdue to shock or other usage. The battery powered flashlight isconstructed in such manner that the dry cells therein are readilyrenewable. The maintenance requirements of the attachment arepractically negligible, and highly eflicientservice is secured from thedevice.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character I designatesthe Thompson sub-machine gun for which the attachment of our inventionhas been particularly developed. The Thompson sub-machine gun isillustrated as including the barrel 2 and the linearly extending bar 3located below the gun barrel 2. The bar 3 includes a diagonally disposedscrew-threaded aperture into which a securing screw Ill, which extendsthrough the flash-sight attachment 5, may be detachably connected. Theflash-sight attachment 5 of our invention is shaped in the generalcontour of a revolver, having a cylindrical light housing I and ahandgrip 8 integral therewith. The cylindrical light housing 1 extendslinearly from the integral handgrip 8 immediately below the barrel 2 ofthe Thompson sub-machine gun I. The flash-sight attachment 5 is providedwith a groove 6 for accommodating the bar 3 which aligns the flash-sightattachment 5 with the barrel 2 of the Thompson sub-machine gun. Thehandgrip 8 has a diagonally extending aperture 9 interiorly thereof,through which the securing screw 10 passes. Securing screw ID has ascrew-threaded end Illa engageable with the diagonally disposed aperture4 in bar 3. A flanged head H on securing screw I is arranged to enterthe countersunk recess 8a in handgrip 8 and lie substantially flushtherewith when the flash-sight attachment is properly mounted inposition, whereby the flash-sight attachment is replaceably supported,ready for quick removal or replacement with respect to the Thompsonsub-machine gun.

The flash-sight attachment 5 is provided with an internal channel ['2for a pair of electrical conductors, the channel [2 leading from theinterior of the cylindrical light housing 7 to the interior of theswitch chamber [4. The cylindrical light housing I is adapted toreceive, through the front opening thereof, the cylindrical flashlightcasing [5 formed from metallic material which is insertable into andremovable from the cylindrical light housing 1.

The cylindrical flashlight casing I5 is provided with transverseapertures 16 therein, which are alignable with transverse apertures H indiametrically opposite side walls of the cylindrical light housing 1,adjacent the rear of the cylindrical light housing I. A transverselyextending pin I8 is adapted to be inserted through and removable fromthe apertures 11 in cylindrical light housing I and transverse apertures[6 in cylindrical flash light casing l5, for retaining the cylindricalflashlight casing l5 in position. There is a coil spring 19 locatedbetween the end wall 15a of cylindrical flash light casing l5 and thedry cell 20 of the pair of dry cells 20 and 2| located interiorly of thecylindrical flashlight casing 15, and pin I8 passes through theconvolutions of coil spring 19 in a position substantially avoidinginterference with the normal operation of coil spring IS.

A light unit 22 employed in the cylindrical flashlight casing I5,consists of a metallic housing 23 having a flexible insulated conductor24 bonded to the metallic housing 23 and normally extending outwardlythrough the insulation grommet 25 in cylindrical flashlight casing I5.The insulated conductor 24 is associated with coacting insulatedconductor 26 just outside of cylindrical flashlight casing l5, and theend of the said insulated conductor 26 is bonded to the metallic wall ofthe cylindrical flashlight casing 15. The pair of conductors 24 and 26are braided or wrapped together by insulation cover 21 and extendsthrough the internal channel I2 to the switch chamber [4, where theconductors connect to thecircuit maker and breaker or push buttoncontrol switch 28. The push button control switch 28 is mounted in theswitch chamber [4 in the handgrip 8 immediately behind the cylindricallight housing I in a position in which the push button control switchmay be controlled by the finger of the operator. Closing of the circuitthrough control switch 28 has the efiect of completing the circuit fromthe series connected dry cells 20 and 2| through the incandescent lamp32, by reason of the mechanical assembly and electrical arrangement oflight unit 22 with respect to the cylindrical flashlight casing I5. Thisarrangement is clearly set forth in the drawings wherein metallichousing 23 has an end portion of reduced section 230. carrying aninsulated button contact 29 mounted in the end thereof and terminatingin a resilient contact member 29a. A coil spring 30 is centered withinthe reduced section 230. of metallic housing 23 and establisheselectrical connection therewith and projects forwardly for receiving thesleeve 3| of incandescent lamp 32. Incandescent lamp 32 has a centralbutton 33 thereon aligned with the resilient contact 29a of the contact29 of the light unit 22. An insulated shell 34 surrounds theincandescent lamp 32 and is provided with an internally screw-threadedbore which surrounds the flange 3la of the incandescent lamp 32 which isengaged thereby for maintaining the incandescent lamp 32 in a positionin which contact is established between button 33 and contact 29a. Theinterior of the insulated shell 34 is lined by means of reflector 35,which directs light rays from incandescent lamp 32 through lens 36,which is detachably confined in position at the end of the cylindricalflashlight casing l5 by means of the screw-threaded cylindrical sleeve31.

The front opening through the cylindrical light housing I is flaredoutwardly as represented at 1a, for conforming with the curvature of theend of cylindrical flashlight casing l5, as represented at l5b. Anappropriate recess lb is provided in the interior of the cylindricallight housing 1 to accommodate the protrusion of grommet 25, and asuflicient channel space is left between the outside wall of cylindricalflashlight casing 15 and the interior wall of the cylindrical lighthousing 1 to enable the conductor 21 to be carried back through channell2 and into the switch chamber I4 for connection with the push buttoncontrol switch 28. Push button control switch 28 is of the springpressed momentary circuit closing type, enabling the flash-sight to bemomentarily extensors operated for directing light rays, represented'bybeam '38,=iupon-- the-target or object represented at 39, whereanilluminated -field is established as represented-atAO the center ofwhich is directly in' line with-the bore of the barrel 2 of the 1 are tobe directed, enables the operator, .to rap idly 1 and; precisely make.rairmand directsifire at the vital spot.

The cylindrical flashlight casing I is readily assembled anddisassembled to renew the dry cells 20 and 2| and the incandescent lamp32. Bonding of the cylindrical flashlight casing l5 to the cylindricallight housing 1 insures the maintenance of the cylindrical flashlightcasing l5 within the attachment, and properly restrains the dislodgementthereof under conditions of shock.

The flash-sight attachment 5 is readily formed by a moulding processfrom plastic which is extremely light in weight, or the flash-sightattachment 5 may be carved from wood, such as walnut, to match the stockand other grip on the gun.

The machine gun I is grooved at 46 to provide a keyway for receiving thehead 41 of the linearly extending bar 3 for securing one end of thelinearly extending bar 3 with respect to the gun. The exterior end oflinearly extending bar 3 is stabilized with respect to the barrel 2, andis spaced beneath the barrel 2 by means of the lug 48 which conformswith the shape of the gun barrel, thereby maintaining the linealalignment of bar 3 with respect to the axis of the machine gun.

In lieu of the linearly extending groove 6 in the flash-sight attachmentfor coaction with the linearly extending bar 3 as heretofore explained,we may employ the structure illustrated in Fig. 9 wherein theflash-sight attachment 5 has the upper portion thereof grooved, asrepresented at 44, where the sides of the groove taper toward eachother, forming an undercut or recessed longitudinally extending groove.The linearly extending bar 3 attached to the Thompson submachine gun inthis modified arrangement, has a cross-section substantially in theshape of a trapezoid represented at 45, with the opposite edges thereoftapered in conformity with the cross-sectional taper of the groove 44 inthe flash-sight attachment 5. Under these conditions, the flash-sightattachment is centered over the end of the linearly extending bar 45,and then slid rearwardly into the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2,and 4, with the undercut recesses of the groove 44 engaging the taperedsides of the linearly extending bar 45. Under these conditions, thesecuring screw or bolt Ill may then be secured through a screw-threadedaperture in the linearly extending bar 45 properly aligned with theposition of the screw or bolt H), with the flash-sight attachment inproper position on the Thompson sub-machine gun.

It will be understood that in lieu of the trapezoidal cross-section oflinearly extending bar 45, other keylock shapes may be imparted to thelinearly extending bar 45, for keying the flashsightattachment 5 to theThompson sub-machine gun, without depending merely upon the screw meansl0.

Suitable lock washers may be provided between the head I l of the screwmeans In and the :reeessinithefiashasightcattachmentinfer, main- 1,tainingtthe screwimeanslinzpositiomunder conditions of shock.

When:necessary;sthgsoperation of the flashsightmay.beicontrolledibyithclleft hand of the operative, thus providingfreedom for the right hand to mani-pulatethe trigger 4| of the Thompsonsub-machine gun I. We have obtained, accurate focusing of the light-spot40 .upon the object at.distances ,ofthirty-fivato forty yards, using thelensof an ordinaryfla'shlight. Special lenses-are readily mounted -inthe sleeve 31for focusing the light beam at agreater: distances.

The same screw l0, normally employed for holding the forearm of theThompson sub-machine gun, may be utilized to hold the flash-sightattachment 5 of our invention on the Thompson sub-machine gun. Theelectrical connections provided by conductors 2'! are maintainedwaterproof, and give full protection by reason of the fact that allconnections are completed interiorly of the attachment and are notexposed to wear and weather.

While we have described our invention in one of its preferredembodiments, we realize that changes may be made in the size and shapeof the parts of the device and in the features of assembly of thecomponents thereof, and we accordingly desire that it be understood thatno limitations upon our invention are intended other than may be imposedby the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is as follows:

1. An attachment for guns of the type having a linearly extending barreland a longitudinally extending supporting bar there-beneath, a moldedplastic member of insulation material grooved adjacent the top of oneend thereof for engagement with the longitudinally extending supportingbar, said member including a handgrip depending beneath the grooved endthereof, means extending through said handgrip and detachably engagingsaid supporting bar, a cylindrical light housing in said mmeberextending beneath the barrel of the gun, a flashlight removably securedin said cylindrical light housing, said flashlight including a metalliccasing, a light unit mounted in said casing and having a pair ofterminals, a battery interposed between one of said terminals and saidmetallic casing, a metallic supporting member insulated from saidmetallic casing and connected with the other terminal of said lightunit, a pair of electrical conductors, one of said conductors beingbonded to said metallic casing and the other of said conductorsextending through said metallic casing in insulated relation thereto andbonded to said metallic support, said electrical conductors extendinglongitudinally of said metallic casing and through said member, and apush button control switch mounted in said handgrip in a positionsubstantially aligned with the axis of said cylindrical light housingand electrically connected with said conductors for momentarilyactivating said light unit for projecting a beam 7 for restraining. saidflashlight: from dislodgement Number from said cylindrical light housingunder firing 1,535,459 operations of the gun. 1 1,835,233 DANIEL GORDONCHANDLER. 2,132,063 WILLIAM WILEY BRYSON. 5 2,258,252 2,294,558REFERENCES CITED 2,494,956 The following references are of record in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS gg f Number ,Name Date 976,416Weber Nov. 22, 1910 8 Y I Name Date Fredrickson Apr. 28, 1925 Lyhne Dec.8, 1931 Whaley Oct. 4, 1938 Lang Oct. 7, 1941 Hooker et a1. Sept. 1,1942 ,Mendelsohn Jan. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date GreatBritain Aug. 20, 1931

